Chapter Five: The One Behind Her Sacrifice

It's early morning when Coreen leaves the mansion. Some people are already up and about at this time. Some are jogging, exercising, and having their morning coffee. Coreen only has one thing on her mind: to finally go home and be with her sister. Of course, she's not looking forward to seeing her evil uncle and her evil cousin. Yes, they are the devil reincarnate.

Upon leaving the village, she fortunately rode the bus before it left. While the bus was moving, her mind flew to the man she left in the mansion. How can he even survive alone? Does he eat out? Order? Come to think of it, the most she's seen the man doing is exercise, eat, leave for work, and sleep before she even arrives. Not really much has changed between them. Royce is still an asshat, and Coreen is still a maid doing his master's chores and tolerating his rotten attitude.

Coreen tilted her head to dismiss the young man from her thoughts. She shouldn't even be thinking about the man when she's not with him. Even the mere thought of his name brings a huge headache to her. Forget about that man and focus on your sister. Coreen said to herself.

When she finally arrived at their old house, the sun was already scorching hot. Coreen lifted the box of donuts she bought on her way home and smiled. Her sister will surely love them. She sighed before staring at the old and worn outhouse. It sure does need some repair and re-painting, but she cannot afford that. Her uncle is a bus driver, and her aunt is a housewife who occasionally sews. She also accepts babysitting when needed.

She was only a week away from home, but she felt like it had been a year since she had last seen her sister.

Coreen opened the door and heard the familiar sound of it. The sound you often hear in any horror movie is the same. The only difference is that inside their house, there are monsters, not ghosts. Her smile faded when he saw his uncle sitting in front of the television and obviously drunk—the man who was never kind to her and Rica, the man who often tormented her. She remembers being his alcohol buyer, his servant, and his stress reliever. The only thing she’s thankful for is that he never touched them. If he ever does, she'll fight back, no matter what.

"Uncle," she politely greeted him. Rude as he was, he was still her uncle, and Coreen was an educated woman. She took part-time jobs before just so she could finish college without any help from anyone.

"So, you still remember this house? I thought you forgot. Your aunt can't do anything but take care of your sick sister every single fucking day. Do you really want to waste away her life like this? Why not get a babysitter if you're so busy?"

"I'm going inside our room." She ignored his words and started walking to their room.

"My God! When will my life change?” Coreen just rolled her eyes when she heard his uncle's dramatic words.

There were three rooms in their little house: the room of her uncle and aunt, the room of their two children, and their bedroom. Coreen was not affected by what she heard from her uncle and smiled just as she opened the door. She immediately saw her sister sitting while her hands were moving and her aunt was sewing.

"Hi, Lil Sis!" She greeted her sister warmly and set the boxes of donuts beside Rica for her to see.

She saw how her face brightened, and Coreen felt like all the stress she felt from work was gone. Rica embraced her, and she embraced her tightly.

"Hello! Did you miss me?" She smiled at her and pressed a tender kiss on her forehead.

Her sister's hair was gradually shedding due to her illness, and she knew that by the time she had undergone chemotherapy, all of it would be gone. But her sister is still as cheery as ever; she loves her more than ever because, at her age, she's already so mature. For Coreen, her sister Rica looks like an angel.

"Of course, Big Sis!" Rica shouted as she grabbed the box and opened it. "Wow!" she exclaimed when she tasted all the different flavors.

"Those are all your favorites."

"Wow! You're the best sis ever! That's why I love you so much!" She shouted in glee before taking a bite of a chocolate donut.

"Hmp! You only love me when I come home with a donut," she jokes before turning to her aunt Isabel. "Good morning, Auntie." She smiled at her in greeting.

"And good morning to you, too."

"Didn't you have a hard time with this naughty girl?" she asked as he gently squeezed her sister's cheek and lowered her large bag containing her used clothing. She can't use Royce's washing machine because the man washes his own clothes. She didn't know why, and she didn't bother asking why.

"I am not naughty, big sis. I am always behaving."

"Yes, yes. I believe you."

"What about your new job, Coreen?" she heard her aunt ask as she removed the dirty clothes from her bag.

"It's okay. My boss is a little screwed up, but that's okay," she shrugged in response before turning her attention back to her things.

"Screwed up? Like, crazy old man?"

She laughed at her aunt's words. "No, Auntie. I am only two years older than him."

"Is he handsome, big sis?" her sister asked, teasing her.

She gently flicked her forehead. "Not naughty, huh?"

Coreen spent the rest of her day off washing clothes for her and her sister. Then she joined her in drawing and coloring. Apparently, Rica was able to walk, but she was so tired, and her doctor advised her not to walk too hard and force herself because her bones didn't work the way they used to, which caused Coreen's heartache. When she finally saved enough, she would buy a wheelchair that Rica could use to go outside.